David McNamara Pleads Guilty To Killing Girlfriend

David McNamara, who just last month rejected a plea deal in the killing of his girlfriend Katie Socci, has now pleaded guilty to murder.

Socci, a young nurse and mother, was found dead off a wooded trail not far from her home in the summer of 2011.

In exchange for his plea and waiving his right to appeal, McNamara faces spending 20 years to life in prison. Budelmann said the defendant will serve 20 years to life in addition to the two years he has already spent in prison for an unrelated drug conviction.

Budelmann said that if the case had gone to trial, the longest sentence McNamara faced — if found guilty — was 25 years to life. Although McNamara faces a few less years behind bars, the DA said Socci's family was relieved to avoid reliving Katie's death.